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Emerging Infections Program Research Associate Receives American Public Health Association Award

Paula Clogher, M.P.H., research associate at the Yale University office of the Connecticut Emerging Infections Program (EIP) and DrPH candidate at New York Medical College, was awarded one of only four student awards given by the Epidemiology Section at the 133^rd Annual meeting of the American Public Health Association (APHA). “The award is a reflection of the support and excellent working relationship that I have here at the EIP,” said Clogher.

The award was given based on her abstract that summarized her M.P.H. internship project, titled: “Population-based surveillance for pediatric influenza-related hospitalizations in Connecticut during the 2003-2004 influenza season: A tool to evaluate vaccine recommendations and assess their impact.” The project identified a high rate of laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalizations and a low rate of influenza vaccination among 6-23 month old children, highlighting the importance of the new Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendation to vaccinate otherwise healthy 6-23 month old children against influenza. The Department of Epidemiology and Public Health (EPH) co-authors on the project include James Meek, M.P.H., associate director of EIP, Sharon Hurd, M.P.H., research associate, Robert Heimer, Ph.D., associate professor in the Division of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases (EMD), and James Hadler, M.D., M.P.H., associate clinical professor of epidemiology in EMD and director of the Division of Infectious Disease at the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

Ms. Clogher joined the EIP five years ago. She is currently working with the EIP's Foodborne Disease Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) conducting surveillance and epidemiologic studies of foodborne disease. The EIP is a joint effort between EPH, the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.